Augusta GA vs Buffalo NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Buffalo
32.9%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 10.5% | Buffalo + |
| White | 32.8% | 45.4% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 56.5% | 32.9% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Augusta +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Augusta +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $48,050 | Augusta + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $30,995 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 7.2% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 27.4% | Augusta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 30.3% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Buffalo
$241,380
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $241,380 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 42.7% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Buffalo
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Buffalo
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Buffalo
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 40.5 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Augusta leads in median household income at $53,134, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Augusta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Augusta, GA vs New York, NYAugusta, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAugusta, GA vs Chicago, ILAugusta, GA vs Houston, TXAugusta, GA vs Phoenix, AZAugusta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA